the Light of the Gentiles to open the blind Eyes to bring the Prisoner out of the Prison house as it s written in the Scriptures of Truth he is the Eternal Word who was in the beginning by whom God made all things as it s written Joh. 1. God created all things by Jesus Christ as saith the holy Apostle Paul he is the Rock that followed Israel of which Rock they drank and of which they did eat they all eat the same spiritual meat and drank the same spiritual drink they eat and drank of the Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ By Faith in this Rock Abel offered a more acceptable Sacrifice than Cain by Faith in this Rock Abraham offered up his Isaac believed God and it was accounted to him for Righteousness by Faith in him all the Just lives to God through all Ages he is the Rock on which the true Church is builded against which the Gates of Hell can never prevail let them open as wide as they can It is as true in all man-kind as it was in the holy Apostle he said of my self I can do nothing but he also said I can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me he is the blessed Seed who bruiseth the Serpents head in all who believe in and follow him in him the Election stands Gods will is that all men may know him and believe in him and be saved as the holy Apostle saith and God who cannot Lye said by the Mouth of his holy Prophet Isaiah Look unto me O all ye ends of the Earth and be ye saved the Apostle John saith that we have seen and do testifie that the Father hath sent the Son to be the Saviour of the World and the Apostle Paul saith Christ gave himself a Ransom for All mark that here is none Reprobated by him from this Ransom The holy Ghost spake by the mouth of the holy Prophet God doth not willingly afflict nor grieve the Children of men Lament 3. 33. read the Chapter through and the will of God is the Sanctification of man-kind as saith the holy Apostle holiness becomes man-kind through all Generations but sin is a Reproach unto any people as it s written but more especially to the Professors of Christianity The holy fear of the Lord God is the beginning of true pure heavenly Wisdom and the secrets of the Lord are with them that fear him as saith the holy man of God let this holy fear have place in thy heart and then the pure peaceable wisdom of God will over-shadow thee So unto the Grace of God which doth appear to thee to teach thee to deny all Vngodliness I do commend thee W. G. London the 8th day of the 10th Moneth ELECTION AND REPROBATION Scripturally Experimentally Witnessed unto c. Concerning Election and Reprobation IOhn Blaneh Hath taken upon him to speak concerning Jacob and Esau pag. 157. of his Manuscript he saith Before the Children knew good or evil Jacob have I Loved and Esau have I hated Answ Reader J. B. no doubt would have us take these words as words of the holy Scriptures but the Scriptures do not say that God said he Hated Esau before he knew Good or Evil but when the Woman felt the Children strugling in her Womb she did enquire of the Lord saying How is it that it is thus with me and the Lord said unto her Two Nations are in thy Womb and two manner of People shall be separated from thy Bowels and the Elder should serve the Younger But he did not say when the Children were in the Womb that he hated Esau though many Professors in England Scotland and else-where have so taken it but their mistake herein hath been great and greatly Hurtfull and destructive unto many Reader take notice that after the Apostle in the 9th Chapter to the Romans hath repeated what God said to the Woman while the Children were in her Womb he brings the following words As it is written Jacob have I loved and Esau have I hated out of the first Chapter of Malachi where the Lord said to Israel by Malachi Was not Esau Jacob 's Brother yet I loved Jacob and I hated Esau and I laid his Mountains waste for the Dragons of the Wilderness These words were spoken by the Lord through the Prophet Malachi unto the Off-spring of Jacob long after Jacob and Esau had finished their Dayes upon Earth Jacob was a plain faithfull Man made so and kept so by the Spirit of the Lord whom he loved Esau was a prophane Man who relected the Counsel of God in Disobeying his good Spirit which he gave him to Instruct him by which he was lighted to know Good from Evil and therein Power was freely tendred to him and Time to believe and obey so it was possible that he might believe and obey so that his Unbelief and Disobedience was not of God but of the Devil not according to the Will of God who would have all Men and Women saved but according to the Will of the Devil who would have all Men and Women destroyed whom that prophane Spirit the Prince of the power of the Air did Defile Corrupt and brought into Prophaneness so he that was the False Teacher to Adam and Eve who led them to break the holy Law of God and sin against him the same led Esau into his Prophaneness because of which he was hated of God and the same Evil teacher led Cain to Kill his Righteous Brother Abel whose Sacrifice was accepted of the pure God because it was offered up with a Clean Right and Harmless Mind into which Mind he was brought and in the same kept by God his Maker out of the Evil Spirit which corrupted his Brother Cain and his God who never slumbers nor sleeps kept him yea he gave him Dominion over the Evil Hurtfull Spirit and he is Eternally blessed though he was slain by his Ungodly Brother And God said unto Cain before he killed his Brother Why art thou Wroth And why is thy Countenance fallen If thou dost well shalt thou not be accepted And if thou dost not well sin lieth at thy Door Gen. 4. 6 7. God who said unto Cain If thou dost well shalt thou not be accepted did not Limit or hinder him from doing well nor did God fore-appoint him to do Evil neither did he limit nor hinder Esau from doing well neither did he fore-appoint himself to do Evil. Edom the Generation of Esau said We are impoverished we will return and build the Desolate places The Lord said They shall build but I will throw down and they shall call them the border of Wickedness against whom the Lord hath Indignation c. This Generation of Esau were rejected of God because of their Wickedness which not God but the Devil was the Author of and so their Destruction was of themselves who rejected the Counsel of God who as the holy Apostle saith Would have all men to be saved
whom I uphold mine Elect in whom my Soul delighteth I will keep thee and give thee for a Covenant of the People for a Light to the Gentiles to open the blind Eyes to bring out the Prisoners from the Prison and them that sit in Darkness out of the Prison-house Isa 42. 1 6 7. He is the blessed Seed in whom the blessing is to whom the Promise is That he shall bruise the Serpents Head who brought in the Curse and Reprobation He is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him Heb. 7. 25. he is ordained of the Father to put an end to Sin to finish Transgression and bring in everlasting Righteouâ—ness He is the Lamb of God who takâ—th away the Sin of the World he is â—the Author of eternal Saltation unto all them that obey him Heb. 5. 9. Mark here obedience unto Christ is required in order to Salvation this is a Gospel-truth The Apostle Peter said unto the Jews God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to bless you in turning away every one of you from his Iniquities Acts 3. 26. Mark those who are blessed by Jesus Christ and Elect in him they are turned away from their Iniquities by him and in vain do they profess him and to be his Elect who continue in their sins and plead for their continuance therein for term of Life God said by the Mouth of his holy Prophet Isaiah Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the Earth for I am God and there is none else Isa 45. 22. read the Chapter through God doth largely therein express by plain words his Universal Love to Man-kind Observe Reader he calls to the Heathen even to all the Ends of the Earth to look to him for Salvation Mark that for which one man is called to look to him for the same all Man-kind is called to look to him every one in the Day of their Visitation viz. for Salvation Christ is the true Light who lighteth every man that cometh into the World according to John 1 9. he is the Light of the World as he said John 8 12. 12. 46 He said Believe in the Light that ye may be Children of the Light So all being onlightned by Chr st in the Light they may look unto God and be saved if they believe in it but if they believe not in the Light but hate it they cannot have Salvation Joh. 3. 19 20. 1 Joh. 1 5. and such Perish whose Destruction is of themselves and the Lord God is clear for the Unbelief and the Disobedience of those who Perish is not of God but of the wicked One. God said by the Mouth of David â—y People would not hearken to my Voice and Israel would none of me So I gave them up unto their own Hearts Lusts and they walked in their own wayes O that my People had hearkened unto me and Israel had walked in my wayes Psal 81. 11 12 13. God spake by the Mouth of Hosea unto Israel saying O Israel thou destroyest thy self but in me is thy help Hosea 13. 9. God said by the Mouth of the Apostle Peter That the Wicked bring Destruction upon themselves 2 Pet. 2. 1. Read the Chapter through Christ Jesus said O Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the Prophets and stonest them who are sent unto thee how often would I have gathered thy Children together even as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her Wings and ye would not Matth. 23. 37. Luk. 13. â—4 Reader when Christ would have garnered the Inhabitants of Jerusalem unto their Immortal Souls Rest they rejected him And he did not tell them that they could not come to him for they might have come to him or else it had been vain Words for him to tell them that he would have gathered them But he told them they WOULD NOT come to him So it was their own Self-will which did hinder them from coming to Christ and not Gods holy Will for his will is that all might be saved God said by the Mouth of Solomon That the Wicked would have none of his Counsel And he said they dispised all his Reproof Therefore said God they shall eat the Fruit of their own way c. Prov. 1. 30 31. Christ is the true Light who lighteth every man that cometh into the World as I have shewed before and he hath tasted Death for every Man Heb. 2. 9. The Apostle John said Christ is the Propitiation for the Sins of the whole World 1 John 2. 2. And he further said We have seen and do testifie that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the World 1 John 4. 14. The Apostle Paul said There is one God and one Mediator between God and Men the man Christ Jesus who gave himself a Ransom for ALL mark for all And he said God's will is that ALL MEN might be saved mark that 1 Tim. 2. 4 5 6. Reader by what I have cited and writ in the holy Scripture words and according to them it doth plainly appear that God hath not Created nor Fore-ordained any Man or Woman on purpose that they should be Wicked so to be Damned or Destroyed or cast into Hell but he doth give to all People a Day or Time of Visitation by his Grace Light and Spirit by the same to lead them out of the broad way that leads to Destruction all those that continue therein till the Lord cease to strive with them for their Salvation such perishing their Destruction is of themselves and the Lord God is clear I have no pleasure in the Death of him that dieth saith the Lord wherefore turn your selves and live ye Ezek. 18. 32. As I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the Death of the WICKED but that the Wicked turn from his evil way and live Turn ye turn ye from your evil Wayes for why will ye die O House of Israel Ezek. 33. 11. The Apostle Peter Exhorted those who had believed in Christ saying Give diligence to make your Calling and Election sure giving all diligence add to your Faith Vertue and to Vertue Knowledge and to Knowledge Temperance and to Temperance Patience and to Patience Godliness and to Godliness Brotherly-kindness and to Brotherly-kindness Charity For if these things be in you and abound they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ but he that lacketh these things is Blind and cannot see afar off and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old Sins For if you do these things YE SHALL NEVER FALL for so an entrance shall be ministred unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 1. 5 6 7 8 9 10 11. Reader here thou mayst see that the Apostle took great care of those who had believed in Christ that they might make their Calling and Election sure So it appears that
diligence in attending upon his Grace by which they were saved was required of them in which diligence they being found the Spirit of Grace did make them Fruitful in those good things before mentioned and the diligent did not fall but made their Calling and Election sure the same Apostle Exhorted the Saints saying Beware lest ye also being led away with the error of the Wicked fall from your own stedfastness but grow in Grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3. 17 18. Here again the Apostle sheweth not only his great care that the Saints might make their Calling and Election sure and so STAND but also sheweth that it was possible that they might be led away with the Error of the Wicked and so FALL if they did not diligently attend upon the Spirit of Grace which teacheth to deny all Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts and to live Soberly and Godly in this present World The Author to the Hebrews saith Take heed Brethren lest there be in any of you an evil Heart of Vnbelief in departing from the Living God lest any of you be hardened through the Deceitfulness of sin Here again the Apostle doth not only shew his great care that those Believers might not depart from the Living God but doth also shew that they might depart from him if they did not diligently wait upon him as aforesaid Thus it doth plainly appear that Faith Obedience are Gods conditions upon which God doth Elect that is Chuse People to inherit Eternal Life And the conditions upon which God doth Reject Reprobate and Turn people into Hell is Unbelief Rebellion Departing from him into Apostacy The Apostle writ of some who knew God who when they knew him glorified him not as God neither were thankful but became vain in their imaginations and their foolish Hearts were darkened and as they did not like to RETAIN GOD IN THEIR KNOWLEDGE God gave them up to a REPROBATE MIND Rom. 1. 21 28. Now these knew God and he gave them a time of Visitation to the end they might have been Everlastingly happy So it was their own Self-will and unthankful Evil hearts which did draw back from the Living God which did deprive them of Eternal Rest and Peace God did not will that they should draw back and depart from him For Gods will is that all People may be Holy and as the Apostle saith God's Will is that all men may know the Truth and be saved 1 Tim. 2. 4. vers 5 6. He saith There is one God and one Mediator between God and Man the man Christ Jesus who gave himself a Ransom for ALL to be testified in due time Mark Reader Christ gave himself a Ransom for All here is none shut out by him here is none Reprobated by him from this RANSOM he is God's free gift to the Gentiles or Heathens as well as to the Jews yea to be God's Salvation to the ends of the Earth he is the Shilow the peaceable Saviour unto whom the gathering of all Nations must be even as God hath promised I will declare the Decree the Lord hath said unto me thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee Ask of me and I will thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for thy Possession Psal 2. 8 9. He tasted Death for every man Heb. 2. 9. He is the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the World John 1. 9. 8. 12. 12. 46. He is the Propitiation not for our Sins only said the Apostle but also for the Sins of the whole World 1 John 2. 2. And we have seen and do testifie that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the World 1 John 1. 4. The Apostle Peter saith God is Long-suffering to us-ward not willing that any should Perish but that all should come to Repentance 2 Pet. 3. 9. Note Reader the holy Apostles and the rest of the faithful Christians were come to Repentance and were Regenerated and Born of God and so were new Creatures in Christ Jesus But the Long-suffering of God is exercised towards the Ungodly who is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to Repentance and he gives them time to repent and doth visit them with his good Spirit in tender Love to enable them to Repent but many reject his tender Love herein and will not obey his Voice as he said Israel would have none of me and as Christ said to the Jews Ye will not come to me that ye might have Life Christ Jesus the Son of God said unto the Angel of the Church of Thyatira That he gave the Woman Jezabel space to repent of her Fornications and she repented not Rev. 2. 18 21. Mark Reader though God gave her Space that is Time to Repent yet she Repented now her not Repenting proceeded from her own Self willfullness and not from God's holy Will for inasmuch as God gave her time to Repent she was put into a condition by him to Repent and therefore might have Repented within the time he gave her to Repent though afterwards it might be hid from her Eyes as it was in the Case of Esau The Author to the Hebrews Exhorted the Believers in Christ to Follow Peace with all men and Holiness without which NO MAN shall see the Lord looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God or fall from it lest any Root of Bitterness spring up and trouble you and thereby many be defiled Heb. 12. 14 15 16 17. Here the holy Man labours to keep them to the Grace of God which doth bring Salvation which did teach them to deny Ungodliness and to live Soberly and Godly in the present World For he knew that the Devil who did and doth go about the Saints ever seeking which of them he may Devour would seek to draw them from the Grace of God and he knew that it was possible that he might prevail upon them and might lead them to do Despite against the Spirit of Grace if they did not Watch deligently against him and he knew if once they were drawn from the Grace of God then the Root of Bitterness would spring up speedily by which many might be Defiled but as a provision against this Evil he Exhorted them to Watch as afore-said in which Watch they being found the Grace of God was sufficient to preserve and uphold them even as the Lord said unto Paul that diligent Watcher My Grace is sufficient for thee my strength is made perfect in Weakness The Apostle Paul told the Galatians saying Whosoever of you are Justified by the Law or seek to be Justified by it ye are fallen from Grace Gal. 5. 4. The Author to the Hebrews saith He that despised Moses 's Law dyed without Mercy under two or three Witnesses of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall they be thought worthy who have troden under Foot the Son
all as saith the Apostle see Rom. 3. 24 25. 1 Tim. 2. 4 6. Again the Apostle Peter said He commanded us to Preach unto the People and to Testifie that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead to him all the Prophets gave witness that through his Name whosoever believeth in him shall receive Remission of Sins see Acts 10. 42 43. Acts 2. 28. Note Reader The Command which the Apostles received from Christ concerning Remission of sins it was that they should preach the Remission or Forgivness of the sins that were PAST they did NOT receive Command from Christ to preach unto people that they must continue in sin all their Dayes NEITHER did he Command them to preach that he had paid the DEBT for all sins past PRESENT and to COME NO he nor his Apostles never preached this Doctrine this Doctrine proceeds from him whose Kingdom stands in Sin who is the Father of Lyes who first LEADS people into sin then tells them that they can NEVER come out of it while they are on this side the Grave and to encourage and embolden them to continue in sin all their dayes HE tells them Christ has paid the DEBT for it ALL and he tells them that God sees no sin in them the Debt being paid for all c. So tells them that they are the Elect and therefore cannot totally fall c. It s greatly to be Lamented that many do GIVE UP themselves to believe these his Lyes to their own Ruin and Destruction We do say that NOT only the sins which Man and Woman doth commit in their Dark Unbelieving State is forgiven when they come to believe repent but ALSO those who through unwatchfulness negligence fall into some sin after they have believed and Repented if THEY find a place of Repentance so Forgivness this forgiveness also is in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ but we do utterly DENY that God or Christ doth WILL or Ordain that any Man or Woman should live in sin ALL their DAYES upon Earth And those who do continue in sin all their dayes who Repent not who Forsake not this their sin will sink them into the Pit of Everlasting Destruction where there is Weeping and Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth and when they are THERE they will see how the Devil hath deceived and cheated them and then they will know that Christ hath NOT paid the Debt for all their sins past present and to come but they shall know he hath not paid the Debt for their sins which they do never Repent of for which they must suffer Vengeance of Eternal Fire as a just Reward from the Hand of the Lord God who said Be ye Holy for I the Lord your God am Holy Concerning Eternal Life JEsus Christ said unto the Unbelieving Jews Search the Scriptures or ye search the Scriptures for in them you think ye have Eternal Life and they are they which testifie of me and YE will NOT come to me that ye might have Life John 5. 39 40. Note Reader Christ told them not that they COULD NOT come unto him but told them that they WOULD NOT come unto him so their NOT coming unto him Christ doth not place upon the fore-ordination or appointment of God but he placeth it upon their CORRUPT SELF-WILL for as it is before expressed in this Book God's will is that all Men might come to the Knowledge of the Truth and be SAVED This is a Gospel Truth spoken by the holy Apostle as he was moved by the holy Ghost Well said the Apostle Peter the Scripture came not in Old Time by the Will of Man but holy men of God gave them forth as they were moved by the holy Ghost or Spirit the holy Scriptures are things of God The Apostle saith What man knoweth the things of a man SAVE the Spirit of a man which is in him even so the things of God know no man but the Spirit of God but that Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2. 10 11. There is two weighty things to be considered and understood from the afore-said Words of Christ the one I have said something to Namely that it was NOT the Fore-appointment or Decree of God which HINDRED those Jews from coming to Christ but their own Corrupt WILL c. for Christ saith That men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father he that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him John 5. 23. Christ the Son of God saith I am the Light of the World Mark that he is not the Light of the Saints and true Believers ONLY for he said unto the Saints Ye are not of the World c. but he is the Light of the World that lieth in Wickedness by his Light in their Consciences he doth convince them of their sins and wickedness Now all that honour the Son according to the Will of the Father they do believe this is Doctrine and â—o do believe in the Light where-with he has enlightned them who is the true Light that enlighteneth every one that cometh into the World according to John 1. 9. he said Believe in the Light that ye may be Children of the Light He tasted Death for every man as saith the holy Scripture He is a Propitiation not for our sins only but also for the sins of the whole World as saith the Apostle John as the Will of God is that all men should believe in the Father so his Will is that all men should believe in the Son and so in believing and obeying both honour the Father and the Son The second thing which I may speak something to upon the foresaid words of Christ concerning the grand Mistake of those Jews who would not come to Christ their Mistake was that they thought to have Eternal Life in the Scriptures for though the Scripture testifies of him as he saith yet the Scripture doth NO where say that Eternal Life is IN THEM but they do testifie that Life is in HIM Therefore GREAT was their Error who thought to have Eternal Life where it was not to be had and the same Error some are fallen into in our day and their Error in this weighty matter is greatly to be LAMENTED and my Soul with many more do greatly desire that out of this great Mistake they may be delivered There are two great EXTREAMS which many run into concerning the holy Scriptures in this our day the one is that which I have spoken to already which IS in those who think to have Eternal Life in the Scriptures where it is not to be FOUND but IN Christ as I said before the other Extream is run into by Prophane persons who do not value them and esteem them as they are truly worthy but in their Pride and Presumption greatly slight them yet make EVIL use of them many times in wresting of them to uphold
away from thy presence and take NOT thy holy Spirit from me Psalm 51. 11. Read the Psalm through Christ said concerning the unfaithful Servant Take therefore the Talent from HIM and give it to him that hath ten Talents for to every one that hath shall be given and he shall have abundance but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that he HATH Matth. 25. 28 29. Chap. 13 12. Mark 4. 25. Note Reader here it plainly appeareth Saul had the Spirit of God and it departed from him because of his Disobedience and Rebellion against God God did not will or fore-appoint that Saul should rebell against him for after his Rebellion the Word of the Lord came unto the Prophet Samuel saying It repenteth ME that I have set up Saul to be King for he is turned BACK from following me and hath not performed my Commandments see 1 Chron. 15. 10 11. David who succeeded Saul in the Kingdom did see that God took his Spirit away from him because of his Disobedience and Rebellion and therefore when David had committed that great Sin against God in the case of Vriah and his Wife dread terror and fear seised upon him he was afraid that God would take his Spirit from him as he did from Saul but in the BOWEDNESS of his Heart he fell under the righteous Judgments of the Lord and cryed unto him saying Create in ME a new Heart O God and renew IN ME a right Spirit Wash me and I shall be whiter than Snow cast me not away from thy presence take NOT thy holy Spirit from ME. He unfeignedly Repented God heard his Petition pardoned his Iniquity and received him graciously He said Make me to hear Joy and Gladness that the Bones which thou hast broken may rejoyce Restore to me the joy of thy Salvation and uphold me with thy free Spirit c. Christ sheweth in the Parable of the sloathful or unprofitable Servant who hid his Lords Money in the Earth who doth not improve that little which God doth give him that he shall never be made a Steward of much nor enjoy much but that shall be taken from him which he hath and he shall be cast into utter Darkness where there is Weeping and Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth Therefore blessed are all they who despise NOT the day of small things who despise not the smallest the lowest or least appearance or manifestation of God but do thankfully receive and improve the same in obeying and following God according to the understanding strength and ability which God hath given them such shall grow in Righteousness and Holiness as the Willows by the Water Courses as the Trees by the Rivers of Water which bring forth their Fruit in due season But as for the Wicked who despise the day of small things who improve not that little that God hath given them There is no Peace to them saith the Lord God they shall be like the Chaff which the Wind driveth to and fro God is a Spirit as Christ saith His presence filleth Heaven and Earth as it s written he is Omnipresent or present in all places Note Reader besides what I have shewed before how God taketh his Spirit from the Rebellious I further say it may be properly said that man hath not the Spirit when he believeth not therein neither obeyeth it c. and so is not governed by it and therefore no real Possessor of it NOT being in UNION with it in this latter sense he enjoyeth it not he hath not Rest Peace in it because he believeth not nor obeyeth it yet this Spirit of Truth enlightneth his Soul in some degree by which he is Convinced of his Sin and reproved for it in secret THEREBY and in this sence of God's Omnipresence David said unto God Whither shall I go from thy Spirit or whither shall I flee from thy presence If I ascend up into Heaven thou art there if I make my Bed in Hell behold thou art there c. Psalm 139. 7 8. The Apostle John writeth thus viz. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God he that abideth in the Doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son see 2 John 1. 9. Here John sheweth that those who do Transgress Christ's Doctrine have not God who is a Spirit ruling over them governing them but those who do obey Christ's Doctrine are governed by the Lord God and such have both the Father and the Son as the Apostle saith Object Many shall seek to enter the Kingdom of God and shall not be able therefore those who seek and are not able to enter the Kingdom were ordained by the Lord God to be damned before they were Born and cast into Hell Answ This is a gross mistake One said unto Christ Lord are there few that be saved and he said unto them Strive to enter in at the strait Gate for many I say unto you will seek to enter in and shall not be able When once the Master of the House is risen up and hath shut to the Door and ye begin to stand without and to knock at the Door saying Lord Lord open unto us and he shall answer and say unto you I know you not c. Then shall ye begin to say We have eaten and drunken in thy presence and thouhast taught in our Streets but he shall say I tell you I know you not c. Depart from me all ye workers of Iniquity Luke 13. 23 24 25 26 27. Note Reader Christ did NOT tell him who asked if few were SAVED that many no nor that any were ordained to be damned before they were Born nor yet that few were saved but exhorted in general saying Strive to enter in at the strait Gate c. This he knew they might do before the Door was shut against them But when once the Master of the House was risen up and hath shut the Door against them then those that would enter with their Sins their Night-Garments their voluntary Humility or vain feigned shews of Humility and their Will-worship their Self-righteousness which is as filthy Rags and as menstruous Cloth and their polluted long Prayers in Hypocrisie and their MEER Fleshly Eating and Drinking and Carnal Washings boasting and glorying in the Flesh in opposition to and hatred against the Spirit of God and Christ yea in Derision and Mockage at the same these could not enter in at the strait Gate but must be cast out into the Lake of Endless misery where there is Weeping and Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth Remember this all you who call upon God and Christ with your Mouthes and Lips but your Hearts are far from him following the Lust of the Flesh and the Lust of the Eye and the Pride of Life who spend away your precious time in Pride Covetousness Envy Wrath Strife Drunkenness Gluttonny Whoredoms Oaths and Cursing ungodly Laughter vain Talking and idle Jesting Sports ungodly Plays and Games
of Esau for Stubble c. Obed. 3. 6 10 12 13 14 15 18. This Prophecy of Obediah is but one Chapter read it through Note Reader here God plainly tells Esau in his Seed and Generation of the many acts of Pride and Cruelty which he did which he should not have done and because he did them God was angry with him and therefore rejected him and cut him off and returned a reward upon him according to his evil works So Esau's ruin misery and destruction was of himself the effect and reward of his own rebellious evil Works which the Devil not God was the Original and cause of and God was and is just in his righteous Judgments that he brought upon him and which he brings upon all such Moreover concerning striving to enter into the Kingdom c. Paul in the holy Ghost saith And if a man also strive for mastery yet is he not crowned or gaineth not Victory except he strive lawfully 2 Tim. 2. 5. Now all who strive lawfully to enter the Kingdom of God they must strive ONLY in the divine heavenly Spirit or Word of God whereby every one that cometh into the World are enlightned in some measure or degree to know Good from Evil according to John 1. 9 8 12. 12. 46. Psalm 27. 1. 2 Sam. 22. 29. Isa 60. 20. Luke 2. 32. Acts 13. 47. John 3. 19 20. Ephes 5. 8 13. 2 Cor. 4. 6 7. Ephes 1. 18. Christ saith God is a Spirit and they who Worship him must Worship him in the Spirit and in the Truth for such the Father seeketh to Worship him c. John 4. 23 24. God is Light and in him is no Darkness at all If we say we have fellowship with him and walk in Darkness we Lye and do not the Truth but if we walk in the Light as he is in the Light we have fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all Sin 1 John 1. 5 6 7. Christ saith I am the Light of the World he that followeth me shall not walk in Darkness but he shall have the Light of Life John 8. 12. The Apostle Peter by the holy Ghost gave a true Relation of the Voice which he others heard from the excellent Glory concerning Christ Jesus saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased c. After he had given this true Relation he further said We have also a more sure Word of Prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a Light that shines in a dark place untill the Day dawn and the Day Star arise in your Hearts 2 Pet. 1. 17 18 19. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God the same was in the beginning with God all things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made in him was Life and the Life was the Light of men and the Light shineth in Darkness and the Darkness comprehended it not Take notice Reader God is Light God is a Spirit Christ is the Light of the World as he saith yea the true Light that lighteth everyone that cometh into the World There was a Man sent from God whose Name was John the same came for a Witness to bear witness of the Light that ALL MEN through him might believe he to wit John was not that Light but was sent to bear witness of that Light which was the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the World he was in the World and the World was made by him and the World knew him not he came unto his own and his own received him not but as many as received him to them he gave power to become the Sons of God c. which were Born not of Blood nor of the will of the Flesh nor of the will of man but of God 1 John 1. to vers 14. Note Reader Christ in his Divinity as he is the Word which was in the beginning by whom all things was made he is the true divine Light who lighteth every man that cometh into World He said unto the World whom he enlightneth Believe in the Light that ye may be the Children of the Light The Children of the Light are the Children of God for God is Light as is shewed before This holy Apostle John said The Light shined in Darkness and the Darkness comprehendeth it not Therefore was John the Baptist sent from God to bear witness to that Light which shineth in Darkness that all men through him might believe mark all being enlightned by Christ who is given for a Light to the Gentiles and to be Gods Salvation to the ends of the Earth for so it is written of him by the Holy man therefore Gods will is that all People Male and Female may believe in the Light wherewith Christ hath enlightned them this Light being believed in giveth to see Christ and leads to him the giver of it and to God the Father of Lights with whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning or changing as saith the holy Apostle Mankind in the fall and alienation from God in their Sin are darkened by the God of the World who hath blinded their minds Man in that state is said to be Darkness The Apostle Paul saith For ye were sometimes Darkness but now are ye Light in the Lord walk as Children of the Light for the Fruits of the Spirit is in all Goodness and Righteousness and Truth Ephes 5. 8 9. And so here the Light and Spirit are joyned together by the Apostle whose Fruits are one their Testimony and Work one and they are one as God who is Light and Spirit is one and not divided For God being a Spirit and Light and Christ as he is the divine Word is God is Light is a quickening Spirit so the Light and Spirit floweth from the Father in and through his Son and thereby are all men enlightned to know Good from Evil in some degree or measure this Light is the Condemnation of all them that hate it Christ saith This is the Condemnation that Light is come into the World and men love Darkness rather than Light because their Deeds were Evil for every one that doth evil hateth the Light neither cometh to the Light lest his deed should be reproved but every one that doth Truth cometh to the Light that his Deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God John 3. 19 20 21. To be turned to this Light is the great and weighty concern of the fallen darkened Sons Daughters of Adam and therefore was that great and faithful Prophet John the Baptist sent to bear witness of the Light that all men might believe here is none fore-ordained of God to be Unbelievers here none is Reprobated by him before they were Born Christ according to the Flesh dyed for all yea his Soul was made an Offering for Sin by his
bruise Satan under their FEET And the Apostle said I live yet not I but Christ lives in me and the Life that I NOW LIVE IN THE FLESH it is by the Faith of the Son of God Mark this Life was not a Life in Sin for Faith in the Son of God gives Victory over Sin and the Devil that is the author of it Rom. 6. 2 7. and the same Apostle saith How shall we that are dead to Sin live any longer therein and he said He that is dead is freed from Sin And he also speaks in one of his Epistles of dying daily and in the aforesaid Chapter sayes I am dead with Christ c. So he knew a time of diyng unto Sin after his understanding was opened to see the sinfulness of it so dying gradually to it he came to be dead to it and so he said as before I live yet not I but Christ lives in me The Apostle Peter said to the Jews Vnto you first God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to bless you in turning away every one of you from his Iniquities Acts 3. 26. Mark J. B. thus God sent his Son to bless People in turning them from their Iniquities all Iniquity is Sin all Sin is of the Devil so THEY who are turned from Sin which is the Devil's work are under the Blessing but they that continue in Sin to the end of their dayes who Repent not who forsake not they are under the Curse Christ saith Whosoever committeth Sin is the Servant of Sin John 8. 34. And the Apostle exhorted saying Resist the Devil and he will flee from you James 4. 7. The Apostle John wrote to the Young-men saying Ye are strong the word of God abides in you ye have overcome the wicked One. Now mark J. B. these Young men were strong the Word or Seed of God did abide in them and by his virtue and strength they had overcome the wicked One as he saith and he wrote unto the Fathers saying You have known him that is from the beginning He doth charge NEITHER of these with the act of Sin or committing of Sin at that TIME though they had all sinned for saith he If we say we have not sinned we make him a Lyar and his Word is not in us But these had CEASED from Sin according to the command of the Lord who said Cleanse your Hands ye Sinners and purifie your Hearts ye double-minded c. But to the Little Children he said I write unto you Little Children because your Sins are forgiven you for his Name-sake but also said Little Children these things I write unto you that ye Sin not Shewing hereby that though then all Sin was not vanquish't or overcome in them yet they were to wait to grow up into Christ and in him to Reign over it as the Fathers and Young-men did J. B. here take notice John writes to three states the weakest of which he named his little Children who though they had a love to him and the Testimony born by him yet were they not established in Christ over all Sin and the Devil the author of it as the Aged and strong in Christ were And as for John's saying If we say we have no Sin we deceive our selves I say and affirm that his so saying doth no more prove him an actual sinner at that TIME then the Apostle James his saying With the Tongue we curse men proves James a Curser of men at that time which is just no proof at all For Iames writes to the twelve Tribes scattered many of whom were wicked and unruly Tongued and Cursers as he said and he being a natural Jew who sprung from the Loins of Abraham as did all the Jews in that sence he called them Brethren but he was then no Curser but abode in the Doctrine of his Master who said Bless them that Curse you And Iames said That mans Religion is Vain that hath not a Bridle to his Tongue And if James had been a Curser at that time his own Religion had been VAIN and he himself condemned by Christ by the Apostle Paul also for a Hypocrite for judging that in them which HE ACTED HIMSELF but he was a holy Man of God and lived in the Possession of the Good he exhorted them unto and out of the bad he reproved them for So John in the same way and manner speaking in condescention he allowing those his little Children to have some relation to him he being a faithful Labourer and traveller for their conversion saith with respect to them If we say we have no sin we deceive our selves c. John saith that which we have heard and seen declare we unto you that you also may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship IS with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ This then is the Message which we have heard of him and declare unto you that God is Light and in him is no Darkness at all if we say we have fellowship with him and walk in Darkness we Lye and do not the Truth but if we walk in the Light as he is in the Light then have we fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all Sin 1 John 1. J. B. Here take notice John had fellowship with the Father and Son and he wrote to the little Children and others That they might have fellowship with him c. which none can have when and while they are committing sin which is the Devils work but may when they have repented and forsaken it Christ said to his Disciples Ye CANNOT serve God and Mammon ye must forsake the one cleave unto the other This Mammon signifies Earthly Riches and if man cannot serve God and them at one and the same time that is set them up as Idols in his Heart then to be SURE Man cannot serve God and the Devil both at one time for Light has no Communion with Darkness nor Christ with Belial nor the Temple of God with Idols Now the words of the Apostle John are as follow He that committeth Sin is of the Devil for the Devil sinneth from the beginning for this purpose was the Son of God made manifest that he might Destroy the Works of the Devil These words we truly own as we do the other which are He that is born of God doth not commit sin That is we do as absolutely believe that he that committeth sin is of the Devil when and while he committeth sin which is the Service of the Devil as we believe he that is born of God doth not commit sin In the same Chapter the same John saith Let no man deceive you he that doth Righteousness is Righteous even as he is Righteous And further saith In this the Children of God are manifest and the CHILDREN OF THE DEVIL whosoever doth NOT Righteousness is NOT of God c. 1 John 3. 7 8 9 10. The Apostle Paul
Isa 48. 18. Blessed are they who do his Commandment that they may have right to the Tree of Life may enter in through the Gate into the City for WITHOUT are Dogs and Sorcerers and Whoremongers and Murderers and Idolaters and whosoever loveth and maketh a LYE Rev. 22. 14. Christ prayed for his Disciples saying I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world but that thou shouldst PRESERVE them FROM the EVIL John 17. 15. Again when he taught them to Pray he said Pray thus Deliver us FROM ALL EVIL c. And Jesus said Whatsoever ye shall ask in my Name that will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son John 14. 13. The Apostle John saith And whatsoever we ask we receive of him because we keep his Commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight c. And he that keepeth his Commandments DWELLETH IN HIM and he IN him And hereby we know that he abideth IN US by the Spirit which he hath given us 1 John 3. 22 24. see also John â—â— 23. Again Jesus said All things whatsoever ye shall ask in Prayer believing ye shall receive Matth. 21. 22. Christ said If ye abide IN ME c. ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be given unto you John 15. 7. Jesus who saith Be perfect c. also saith If a man love me he WILL keep my words and my Father will love him and WE will COME unto him and make OUR ABODE with him he that loveth me NOT keepeth NOT my Sayings c. John 14. 23 24. Again He that hath my Commandments and keepeth them HE it is that LOVETH ME and he that loveth ME shall he beloved of my Father see verse 21. Again Jesus said If ye KEEP my Commandments ye shall abide in my Love even as I have kept my Fathers Commandments and abide in his Love Chap. 15. verse 10. Again the holy Apostle John saith By this we know that we love the Children of God when we love God and KEEP HIS Commandments For this is the love of God that we KEEP his Commandment and his Commandments are NOT GRIEVOUS 1 John 5. 2 3. Again Circumcision is nothing and Vncircumcision is nothing but the KEEPING the commands of God 1 Cor. 7. 19. God who said unto Abraham I am God All sufficieâ—â— walk thou before me and be thou perfect He said Abraham obeyed my Voice and kept my Charge my Commandments my Statutes and my Laws Gen. 26. 5. And Christ said unto the Rebellious Jews If ye were Abraham's Children ye would do the Works of Abraham Christ saith Every one that is perfect shall be as his Master Luke 6. 4. The Apostle Peter prayed for the Believers that God would make them perfect 1 Pet. 5. 10. Jesus said unto the Rich Young-man If thou wilt be perfect go and sell that thou hast and give to the Poor and thou shalt have Treasure in Heaven and come and follow me see Matth. 19 21. Again he prayed to the Father for his Disciples he said The Glory which thou gavest me I have given them that they may be one even as WE are one I IN them and thou in me that they may be made PERFECT in one see John 17. 22 23. And Jesus said Neither Pray I for these ALONE but for them ALSO that shall believe on me c. verse 21. Note Reader this blessed Prayer of Christ Jesus was and is for or on the behalf of ALL who truly believe in him t his is truly comfortable to all true Believers in this age glory to the Lord God for the same The Apostle said We speak Wisdom among them that are PERFECT not the Wisdom of this world c. but the wisdom of God in a Mystery c. see 1 Cor. 2. 6 7. Again Paul exhorted saying Be PERFECT 2 Cor. 13. 11. The Apostles laboured that they might present every man PERFECT IN Christ Jesus see Col. 1. 28. Paul preached Christ WITHIN the Colossians the hope of Glory verse 27. Again Epaphras who is one of you a Servant of Christ saluteth you alwayes labouring for you fervently in PRAYERS that ye may stand PERFECT and Compleat in ALL the will of God see Chap. 4. verse 12. Again the Apostle gives Testimony to the Inspiration of God which giveth a right understanding of the things of God and to the holy Scriptures c. saying These Gifts are given that the man of God may be PERFECT THROUGHLY furnished unto ALL GOOD WORKS 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. Again the Author to the Hebrews prayed for them That God would make them PERFECT in every good Work to do his Will Heb. 13. 21. Again Strong Meat belongeth to them that are PERFECT so it is rendred in the Margin who by Reason of use have their Senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil Chap. 4. 14. Moses the Man of God said Give ear O ye Heavens and I will speak and Hear O Earth the words of my Mouth My Doctrine shall drop as the Rain my speech shall distil as the Dew as the small Rain upon the tender Herb and as the Showers upon the Grass because I will publish the Name of the Lord ascribe ye greatness unto our God he is the ROCK his Work is PERFECT c. a God of Truth and without Iniquity Just and Right is he THEY have Corrupted themselves their spot is not the spot of his Children c. Do you thus requite the Lord O Foolish People Deut. 32. 1 2 3 4 5 6. read the Chapter through see Chap. 31. 27. to the end Reader Many Sweet Heavenly and Comfortable Sayings I have Collected out of the holy Scriptures whereby Gods Love unto all Men and Women is clearly held forth IN CHRIST Jesus the blessed Seed whom God hath promised shall bruise the Serpents Head who brought in the Curse Death and Reprobation by leading Man and Woman into sin Your Sins saith God have with-holden good things from you Jer. 5. 25. Christ is God's free Gift as I have plainly shewed before both unto Jews and Gentiles to be his Salvation to the ends of the Earth he tasted Death for every man as the Apostle saith He is the true Light who lighteth every one that cometh into the World he saith I am the Light of the World he that followeth me shall not walk in Darkness but he shall have the Light of Life He said Believe in the Light that ye may be the Children of the Light as is shewed before The Children of Light are the Children of God for God is Light and in him is no Darkness at all as saith the Apostle 1 John 1. 5. Again Chap. 3. Vers 5 6. John saith unto the Saints concerning Christ Ye know that he was manifest to TAKE AWAY our Sins whosoabideth in him sinneth NOT. Again He is able to save them to the uttermost them that come to God by him Heb. 7. 25. O blessed are all they
divine Life and Spirit he enlightneth all He is the Propitiation saith the Apostle John not for our Sins only but for the Sins of the whole World Reader this is the COMMON Salvation that Jude speaketh of in the beginning of his Epistle to believe in the Light as aforesaid is true Belief or true Faith which the Apostle Paul speaketh of to Titus saying Titus My own Son after the COMMON Faith Grace Mercy Peace from God the Father c. Titus 1. 4. Of this Faith Jude speaketh in his Epistle this was and is the common Faith For this Faith the true Christians stood or contended against all the false Faiths among the Jews and Heathens and Apostate Christians for this Faith do the true Christians now stand against them all and in this Faith is the Victory over all false Faiths and evil things see 1 John 5. 4. This is the true and living Faith which is attended with Works of Righteousness a Godly Holy Conversation c. according to the Testimony of the Apostle James This is the Faith which worketh by Love which purisieth the Heart the Mystery of which is held in a pure Conscience see 1 Tim. 3. 9. In this Faith is the command of God kept who saith Be ye Holy for I the Lord your God am Holy In this is the Doctrine of the holy Apostle fulfilled who exhorted saying As he who hath called you is Holy so be ye Holy in all manner of Conversation 1 Pet. 1. 15 16. The Apostle Paul saith by the holy Ghost God hath made of one Blood all Nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the Earth and hath determined the times before appointed and the buonds of their Habitation that they should seek the Lord c. because he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the World in Righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead It is rendred in the Margin He hath offered faith unto all men see Acts 27. 26 31. Again Paul saith to Timothy Now the end of the Commandment is Charity or Love out of a PURE HEART and of a GOOD Conscience and of Faith UNFEIGNED from which some having swarved have turned aside unto vain Jangling 1 Tim 1. 5 6. Again Paul saith to the Galatians For in Christ Jesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing nor Vncircumcision but FAITH which worketh by LOVE see Gal. 5. 6. The Apostle Peter by the holy Ghost saith That God put NO difference between the Jews and Gentiles but PURIFIED both their Hearts by Faith see Acts 15. 6. Again Paul said to the believing Thessalonians Your Faith GROWETH exceedingly see 2 Thes 1. 3. Again to the Galatians The FRUIT of the Spirit IS Faith c. see Gal. 5. 22. The Apostle James signified by the holy Ghost unto the twelve Tribes of the Jews the UNIVERSAL LOVE of God saying If any of you lack Wisdom let him ask of God that giveth to ALL MEN LIBERALLY and obraideth NOT and it shall be given him let him ask in Faith nothing wavering for he that wavereth is like a Wave of the Sea driven with the Wind and tossed c. A double-minded man is unstable in all his wayes James 1. 5 6 8. Again the Author to the Hebrews saith Let us draw near with a true Heart in full assurance of Faith having our Hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience c. Heb. 10. 22. Again the same Author saith Now Faith is the Substance of things hoped for the evidence of things NOT seen for by IT the Elders obtained a good report through Faith WE UNDERSTAND that the World was framed by the WORD of God So that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear by Faith Abel offered unto God a more acceptable Sacrifice than Cain c. by Faith Noah being warned of God of things NOT seen as yet moved with fear prepared an Ark to the saving of his House by the which he condemned the World and became HEIR of Righteousness which is by Faith by Faith Abraham when he was called to go out into a place which after he should receive for an Inheritance obeyed c. for he looked for a City which hath a Foundation whose Builder and MAKER is God through Faith also Sarah received strength to conceive Seed and was delivered of a Child when she was past Age BECAUSE she judged him faithful who had promised therefore sprang there even of one and him as good as dead so many as the Stars of the Skey in multitude c. These ALL dyed IN the FAITH c. by Faith Abraham when he was TRYED offered up Isaac and he that had received the Promises offered up his only begotten Son of whom it was said In Isaac shall the Seed be called accounting that God was ABLE to raise him up even from the DEAD from whence also he in a Figure received him by Faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come by Faith Jacob when he was dying blessed both the Sons of Joseph by Faith Moses when he was Born was hid c. by Faith Moses when he was come to YEARS refused to be called the Son of Pharaohs Daughter CHUSING rather to SUFFER Affliction with the People of God than to enjoy the PLEASURES of Sin for a SEASON esteeming the Reproach of Christ greater RICHES than the TREASURES in Aegypt for he had a RESPECT unto the Recompence of REWARD by Faith he forsook Aegypt NOT fearing the Wrath of the King for he endured as SEEING him who is INVISIBLE by Faith Israel passed through the Sea as by dry Land c. by Faith the Walls of Jericho fell down c. by Faith the People of God LIVED unto HIM through ALL Ages in all Afflictions Persecution Tortures and Punishments whatsoever see Heb. 11. read it through Abraham believed in God and it was counted unto him for Righteousness know ye therefore saith the Apostle that they which are of Faith the same are the Children of Abraham Note Reader God fore-determining to justifie the Heathen through Faith preached before the Gospel unto Abraham saying In thee shall all Nations be blessed So that they which be of Faith are blessed with faithful Abraham see Gal. 3. 6 7 8 9. Gen. 12. 3. Again Now to Abraham and his Seed was the Promises made He saith not and to Seeds as of many but as of one and to thy Seed which is Christ see Gal. 3. 16. Which Christ who was of the Seed of David and Abraham according to the Flesh as he is the eternal word he is the true spiritual and divine Light who lighteth every one that cometh into the World according to John 1. 9. 8. 12. 12. 46. as is shewed before The Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the Father John 15. 26. and 16. 8 9 10 11 13. which doth Convince the World of
and justifie themselves in their Ranterism and Debauched Wicked Conversations the State also of the latter is greatly to be Lamented and it is the earnest desire of my Soul with many more that those might come to Unfeigned Repentance for this their great EVIL that so they might come to a true and godly use Esteem of the holy Scriptures and so to have profit by them and comfort in them as the true Believers had in Primitive Times and such now have Glory to the Lord God for the same it is the Spirit or Light of Truth which leads the true Believers into all Truth and convinceth the World of sin that giveth a right Understanding and leadeth to a right use of the Scripâ—â—â—es this Spirit was mans Guide before the Scriptures were written by it men were made holy before they gave forth the holy Scriptures this is the Key which openeth them and leadeth to a right use and application of them but they whose Minds are gone ASTRAY from this Spirit who have not do not LEARN of it those do WREST the Scriptures to their own Destruction as some did in the Apostle Peter's Dayes against whom he testified Christ told some amongst the earthy Wise Jews Ye neither know the Scriptures nor the Power of God yet those were great Talkers of them and even as they knew them not not owning the Key that openeth them so many in our day knoweth them NOT because they believe not in the Spirit of Truth which ONLY openeth them Concerning Good Example CHrist suffered for us leaving us an example that we should follow his steps who did not Sin neither was Guile found in his Mouth 1 Pet. â— 21 22. Here the holy Apostle shews that it is the Duty and Practice of all true Christians to follow the Example and the holy clean Steps of the holy man Christ Jesus who did not Sin But those who do continue in Sin and plead for a continuance in the same all their dayes upon Earth who Sin as they say in their most Holy Duties these are very far from the holy Faith and holy Conversation of the Apostles and Ministers of Christ and all true Christians and very far from following his pure Examples and his holy clean Steps The Apostle John saith concerning Christ Hereby do we know that we know him if we keep his Commandments He that saith I know him and keepeth not his Commandments is a Lyar But whoso keepeth his Word in him verily is the love of God perfected hereby know we that we are in him he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked 1 John 2. 3 4 5 6. Reader see how these holy men of God agree in their Testimony in this weighty matter these holy men did abide in Christ and Christ in them they by virtue of his divine spiritual dwelling in them were strengthned and enabled in their Lives and Conversations to follow that holy Example which he gave them in the dayes of his Flesh who went about doing Good who never did Evil and though they had sinned he redeemed them from it and from the Devil the Author or Original of it And so many came to behold their good Conversation in Christ COUPLED WITH FEAR as the Apostle exhorteth 1 Pet. 3. 2. John saith We know that whosoever is Born of God sinneth NOT And we know that we are of God and the whole World lieth IN WICKEDNESS And we know that the Son of God is come and hath give us an understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ this is the true God and Life eternal Little Children keep your selves from Idols Amen 1 John 5. 18 19 20 21. Here the Apostle shews plainly who are true Christians and who are not the true Christians are in Christ who hath redeemed them out of the bondage of Corruption into the glorious Liberty of the Sons and Daughters of God and such have the Spirit of Christ bearing witness with or unto their Spirits that they are the Children of God according to the promise of God Rom. 8. 16 21. And they are NOT TRUE Christians who Lye or continue all their dayes in Sin and Wickedness these are the World as John saith Certain it is those who go on in Sin who plead a necessity to continue in it all their days they live or abide upon Earth these are NOT the Bride the Lambs Wife the true Church whom HE presents to the Father a glorious Church WITHOUT spot or wrinkle or any such thing Holy and without Blemish as in Ephes 5. 27. But those pleaders for and continuers in Sin all their dayes these are the Harlot these are the World that lieth in Wickedness whom the cursed One is the God of who hath BLINDED THEIR MINDS these are in the broad way that leads to Destruction IN VAIN DO these call Jesus Lord who do not believe his Commands who are not governed by him who do not that which he saith he said Learn of me I AM MEEK AND LOWLY and ye shall find rest to your Souls A Remnant hath learned of him in this Age and hath found his Promise true Glory to the Lord God for the same they have found Rest and Peace to their Souls in him THEIR PRINCE of PEACE though they have Trouble Oppression in the World for his SAKE yet these can truly say as the holy Apostles said of the faithful followers of Christ of Old GREATER IS HE that is in you then he that is in them to wit the World by whom we overcome them they are of the World therefore speak they of the World the World heareth them We are of God he that knoweth God heareth us he that is not of God heareth NOT US hereby know we the Spirit of Truth and Spirit of Error 1 John 4. 4 5 6. The Apostle Paul said unto the the Philippians Brethren be followers together of me and mark them who walk so as ye have VS for an ENSAMPLE for many walk of whom I have told you often and now tell you even WEEPING that they are Enemies of the Cross of Christ Phil. 3. 17 18. to the end of the Chapter The same Apostle said to the Corinthians Be ye followers of ME even as I also am of Christ 1 Cor 11. 1. The Apostle Peter writ unto the Elders of the Church of Christ saying Feed the Flock of God which is among you taking the oversight thereof NOT by constraint but willingly NOT for filthy Lucre but of a ready mind NEITHER as being LORDS over Gods Heritage but as ENSAMPLES TO THE FLOCK 1 Pet. 5. 1 2 3. Reader there are several things worthy of thy serious and weighty Consideration in these words of the holy Apostle Peter the first is that the Elders of the Church of God and Christ did and do as Instruments in â—od's Hand Ministring that is Serving
in his own Spirit and Power feed the Flock of God and Christ Secondly That they did and do take the over-sight of the Flock not by Constraint but willingly God makes them willing by his heavenly power they are NOT made willing by Gold or Silver Corn or Cattel or any earthly thing neither do they AFFECT Titles of Eldership in Pride or Vain Glory but the False Teachers and Elders are made willing to Preach for Gold and Slver Corn and Cattel and Earthly things how such affect Titles Earthly things more then the true Elders WORK is known to God and it is discerned by many in this Morning of his heavenly Day which is dawned in this our Age glory to the Lord God for the same Such who feed with the Fat and cloath with the Wooll and make a PREY upon the People are in Balaams Way and Error who covet the Wages of Unrighteousness yea many in Cains way in Envy Persecuting about these things some even to Death and for these things they strive one against another the strife is who shall have the fattest Benefice The TRUE Elders and Ministers did not nor do not take the oversight of the flock of God for FILTHY LUCRE but of a ready mind which God begetteth in them by his good Spirit FILTHY Lucre is Earthly gain ILL GOTTEN Christ Jesus commanded his Disciples whom he made Elders to watch over his Church saying Freely ye have received freely give Those who esteem themselves Christs Ministers yet take the over-sight of their Flocks and watch over them and teach them for Gold Silver Corn Hay c. this their Gain is ungodly it is Ill gotten because in the getting of it they break Christs Command whose Servants they pretend to be and in so doing they greatly dishonour him Yet still the Ministers of Christ have power to eat such as is set before them freely but not to force or compel by Persecution those who did or do receive Spiritual things from them the Spirit of God makes such willing there is no use for outward Force and Persecution in this concern so then to be sure they had not power by outward Force to compel those who did not believe nor receive their Testimony or to pay them for preaching though the true Apostles and Elders had power to eat c. and where they did sow Spiritual things to reap Carnal yet they laboured with their own hands that they might make the Gospel without charge so far were they from desiring or receiving any outward thing for preaching from Unbelievers that they laboured with their own hands that they might not be chargeable to the Believers No the Ministers and Elders who were and are made by Christ were and are men of nobbler Spirits then to do so The true Elders and Ministers were not nor are not Lords over God's Heritage but were and are good Ensamples and true Servants to the Flock And their Exhortation was and is to walk as they had and have them for Ensamples Glory to the Lord for the same The faithful Elder and Apostle Paul by the holy Ghost exhorted Timothy saying Be thou an Example of the Believers in Word in Conversation in Charity in Spirit in Faith in Purity Neglect not the Gift that is in thee c. take heed unto thy self and unto the Doctrine continue in them for in so doing thou shalt save both thy self and them that hear thee see 1 Tim. 4. 12. to the end Again Chap. 5. 22. Lay Hand suddenly on NO man neither be partaker of other mens Sins KEEP thy self PURE c. They are blessed who follow the blessed Example of the Lord Jesus Christ and his holy Apostles and the Elders made by him who abide in his Doctrine and in the Faith which he is the Author and Finisher of and in the love which reacheth to all People both Friends and Enemies which Love thinketh no Evil neither doth any Wrong or Evil which Love is stronger than Death it is not puffed up it doth not behave it self unseemly This Love is the fulfilling of the holy Law of God as saith the holy Apostle All who keep therein are PLEASANT to the Lord and honoured by him with a truly tendred Heart and lowly mind and with the pure Patience in and through all Tribulation Trials and Affliction which cometh upon them for Christ's sake in which they possess their Souls in peace and quietness being kept by the mighty Power of God through the precious Faith and Love which is shed abroad in them BY and in Christ Jesus He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked see 1 John 2. 6. Concerning Original Sin IN page 10. J. B. takes upon him to say something concerning Original Sin he saith to his Neighbour I understand by you that its contrary to the Doctrine you teach c. Answ The Original or first cause of Sin is the Devil who abode not in the Truth as Christ said The Apostle saith He that committeth Sin is of the Devil for the Devil sinneth from the beginning for this purpose was the Son of God made manifest that he might Destroy the Works of the Devil 1 John 3. 8. Jesus said Whosoever committeth sin is the Servant of sin Joh. 8. 34. J. B. saith to his Neighbour in the aforesaid page You told me you questioned not at all but all those Infants that dyed without actual Sin were received into Heaven having nothing to be laid to their Condemnation Answ J. B's Neighbour hath spoken very Soberly and Charitably and Scripturally and Soundly in this matter though J. B. doth ignorantly Cavil against him for it the Dark Rebellious Apostized Jews were like unto this J. B. they said The Fathers have eaten sowr Grapes and the Childrens Teeth are s t on edge c. These Dark sayings displeased the Lord and he Rebuked them for them by the Mouth of his Servant Ezekiel saying The Soul that sinneth it shall dye the Son shall not bear the Iniquity of the Father neither shall the Father bear the Iniquity of the Son see Ezek. 18. 2 20. read the Chapter through Moreover the Lord said by the Mouth of the Prophet Jeremiah They shall say no more the Fathers have eat a sowr Grape and the Childrens Teeth are set on edge but every one shall dye for his own Iniquity every man that eateth the sowr Grape his Teeth shall be set on edge Jer. 31. 29 30. Thus it plainly appears that little Infants who never acted or committed Sin must not be cast into Hell for their Fathers Sins but dying without actual Sin must inherit the Kingdom of Heaven Jesus called a little Child unto him and set it in the midst of them and said Verily I say unto you except ye be converted and become as little Children ye shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 18. 2 3. Mark 10. 15. Luke 18. 17. Jesus said Suffer little Children and forbid them
said God is Love he that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God and God in him mark God in him and the Apostle John said We know that the Son of God is come hath given us an under standing that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ and this is the true God and Life eternal 1 Joh. 5. 19 20. And it 's written He that hath the Son hath Life and he that hath the Son hath the Father also Christ in his Prayer to the Father said of his Disciples I in them and thou in me John 17. 21. to the end of the Chapter Thus it plainly appears that the Christians did and do enjoy God and Christ within God is a Spirit as Christ said and the second Adam was made a quickning Spirit as the Apostle saith So God and Christ within is sufficient to lead unto Salvation being obeyed and thus to own God and Christ within did not nor doth not lead the Christians to justifie themselves or as J. B. phrases it To bear a part in their own Justification nor to give the Apostle the Lye who saith Ye are saved by Grace through Faith Now mark the great Ignorance of this J. B. he grants that People are saved by Grace through Faith I ask J. B. then must not they who are so saved have this Grace this Faith within them would he have them to be saved by Grace through Faith and yet have neither Grace nor Faith in them Oh gross Ignorance The Martyr Stephen was a man full of Faith and of the Holy Ghost or Spirit And the Apostle exhorted saying Be not drunk with Wine wherein is Excess but be ye filled with the Spirit The Apostle saith It is a good thing that the Heart be established with Grace And sure this Grace must be in their Hearts with which their Hearts were to be established The Apostle exhorted the Saints to teach and admonish c. with Grace in their Hearts Col. 3. 16. And the Mystery of Faith is held in a pure Conscience as it s written in the holy Scriptures The Grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all men as saith the Apostle Tit. 2. 11. And the appearance of it is within Man and Woman as I have proved by the Scriptures and the Lord said unto the Apostle My Grace is sufficient for thee my strength is made perfect in weakness They who do believe in the Grace do know the sufficiency of it yea of the least measure of it to their comfort to preserve save them but those who do despight unto it and continue in Unbelief shall come to know the sufficiency of it to condemn them And by this Grace which hath appeared to all men the Lord will be clear of all the Wicked who perish in their Wickedness yea he will overcome them all when he brings his Righteous Judgments upon them for their Rebellion Happy are all they who do believe and continue stedfast in obedience unto the Grace of God but Wo to the Wicked who continue in Rebellion against it The People of God in scorn called Quakers do believe and say as the holy Apostle did who said We are not able to think a good Thought of our selves of our selves we can do nothing that is good But we do believe that its possible to grow to such a stature in Christ Jesus by virtue of his spiritual presence WITHIN as that by virtue thereof the TRUE BELIEVER may be ENABLED to do all things which God doth require of HIM and of this belief was the Apostle who said I can do all things through Christ that strengthneth me Through the tender Mercy of God we are made sensible that as Christ said so it is Without him we can do nothing And the Apostle said We are God's Workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good Works which God before ordained that we should walk in them And it is God that worketh all our Works in us And so said the Prophet and so say WE see Isa 20. 12. Ephes 2. 10. Postscript Being a Scriptural Testimony to the perfect Works of God in his People COme out from amongst them and be ye seperate saith the Lord and touch no unclean thing and I will receive you and I will be your Father and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters saith the Lord God Almighty see Isa 52. 11. 2 Cor. 6. 16 17. read the Chapter through The holy Apostle saith God forbid that I should glory SAVE or except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom the World is crucified unto me and I unto the World For IN Christ Jesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing nor Vncircumcision but A NEW CREATURE and as many as WALK according TO THIS RULE PEACE be on them c. Gal. 6. 14 15 16. Note Reader they that come out from amongst the unclean who touch no unclean thing these are the Elect of God these are his Sons and Daughters Servants and Hand-maids these are new Creatures in Christ Jesus these are Crucified with Christ these are in and through him Crucified to the World and the World is Crucified to them and as many as WALK according to these new Creatures RULE they walk according to the commands of God and Christ expressed in the holy Scriptures of Truth who saith Be Perfect be Holy for I the Lord your God am Holy And God is perfect and his way is perfect and his work is perfect as it is written 2 Sam. 22. 31. Psal 18. 30. Deut. 32. 4. Christ saith Except a man be Born again he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God John 3. 5. Matth. 19. 28. Tit. 3. 5. Those who are Born again are new Creatures these Worship God in the newness of the Spirit of God and of Christ in which they come to see the Promises of God and Christ fulfilled who said I will walk in them c. I will teach my People my self I will write my Law in their Heart c. Ephes 46. Levit. 26. 12. Rev. 21. 3. Jer. 31. 33. Christ said I and my Father we will come and make our ABODE with you The Conversations of all such are sweet and clean according to the commands of God and Christ and the Doctrines and Examples of Christ and his holy Apostles and such are the true owners and lovers and esteemers of the holy Scriptures And NOT those who make their bost of their love to God and Christ and to them and yet in their EVIL Lives and Conversations denyboth God and Christ and them living in and loving and pleading for a continuance in Sin to the end of their dayes all which is directly contrary to the commands of God and Christ plainly laid down in the Scriptures And God said unto Rebellious Israel O that thou hadst hearkned to my Commandments then had thy Peace have been as a River thy Righteousness as the Waves of the Sea